Bryant Park

Having now reviewed about 30 perfumes from the House of Creed, self-proclaimed perfumers of the royal rich, famous and powerful since 1760, I feel compelled to begin my first Bond no. 9 review by observing that I find absolutely no basis whatsoever for the oft-repeated allegation that Bond no. 9 somehow copied or "ripped off" Creed. I defy, in this case, anyone to identify the Creed--or any other--fragrance that BRYANT PARK is supposedly a copy of. BRYANT PARK is a luscious, innovative modern chypre which skillfully blends notes too often applied heavyhandedly in recent perfume creations. I am thinking here in particular of pink peppercorn, raspberry, and patchouli. These strong, distinctive notes, whose clarion voices cry out for attention, vying for the leading role and sometimes completely drowning out less assertive notes, work together in BRYANT PARK as a chorus, with rhubarb, rose, and lily of the valley equally important. I really love this composition: smooth and luscious with an oakmoss-free chyprelike quality of thickness. I could spray this gorgeous creation on all day long. Which brings me to the only criticism I have of BRYANT PARK: it's delicious addictiveness may lead to serious financial troubles down the line, for the longevity is quite poor. In order to continue to ride along this cloud of olfactory heaven, I must reapply BRYANT PARK every couple of hours or so. But honestly, the stuff is so delectable that I'm beginning to appreciate what it must be like to be a crack addict: I just don't care!

This is also my favourite among all the Bond No 9's, and I love it. As F_A said, yes, it's really refereshing and sparkling. On me, Bryant Park smells really linear, even though this could seem to be boring, but the perfume shines in a special way. I get a lot of patchouli, which blended really well with the florals and fruits. So the earthy (even a little bit medicine-like) patchouli scent has been softened and the perfume gets a little bit femininer. There's no really distintive notes beside the patchouli, and everything's blended well like a piece of transparent art deco glass. Some might feel Bryant park is still kinda too edge or too mausculine, but to me, I think it's just perfectly representing the indepandent woman who will wear it. Don't know why when I wear it, I can imagine the feeling of runway, the light, the make-ups, the fashion, the drinks and maybe the atmosphere there etc. When you are wearing it, it's close to you, boosting your confidence as if you are standing under the spotlight; but to the others, it's nice, but in a sharp and a little distant way, as if it's saying "Don't mess with me'. it's definetely not the sweet seductive sexy kitten, but a grown-up proud wolf who knows what she wants.

After few weeks of sniffing it from the decant with thoughts - "hmmm...spicy till point of camphore", medicinal way- its on my skin. On purpose I didn't look at the notes before, wanted to compare what I smell with the "actual thing" On the skin - wow, its JUST a spicy-rose, or patchoili-rose, another strange comparison which came to my mind - good old wine from dusted bottles in French countryside as something in it recalls the smell of wine barrel. With hint of raspberry. I Am not a fan of prominent rhubarb - but its not usual open rhubarb - actually quite invisible one, playing his role of connection in between fruit and floral. But still on me its big tall roses on the table in the vase, glass of dark French wine, and it is evening, when flowers producing more scent, you drink your wine slowly, you enjoy the rich scent of roses. Very vivid fragrance!

Michel Almairac you've done it again! I have to profess that if I've seen that he's concocted a new fragrance, I have to try it. I've liked a lot of the fragrances he's come out with and this one does not disappoint. This is one of my very first Bond No. 9 fragrances, back when they offered <20 fragrances. I used to walk by the Bond store on bond street every day on my way home and think it was this hidden gem.....Until everyone started talking about it years later and i sort of lost my love for it. This was back when DBGB used to still be around a block and a half away. I LOVE this scent. It's definitely a strong and peppery sweet scent but not cloyingly sweet and then it mellows out to a beautiful patchouli rose.

Really nice after a while, but it's a bit of a punch in the nose at the onset. I assume it's the rhubarb/pink pepper. It goes away, and you're left with a velvety luscious cream berry scent, unlike anything I've ever experienced. Very unique.